Pier Plaza parking rate hike to benefit beach upgrades

Mary Beth P. Adomaitis

Those parking at Pier Plaza this summer may find themselves paying a

few extra bucks for a couple of hours of fun in the sun.

In April, the city increased the Pier’s preferred parking flat rate

from $7 to $9 a day. The additional funds, officials said, will be put

toward the $6.5-million Huntington City Beach improvements.

“It’s a question of supply and demand,” said Ron Hagan, the city’s

director of community services. “It’s an analogy to [Edison International

Field] Stadium or the Pond or the Performing Arts Center -- there’s a fee

for parking. You are closer to the action and that drives the market

place.”

Hagan added that numerous free activities are held at Pier Plaza

during the summer including concerts, art shows and surfing competitions,

and that while it costs $3 to park at state beaches, the city-owned areas

offer more amenities.

“We provide year-round lifeguard services, bathrooms, competitions --

events free to the public -- and all that has to be paid for,” he added.

“It costs $4 million a year to operate the beach.”

However, some who travel to the Pier find the increase a bit much to

handle.

“It’s right to pay this if you come for the whole day, but if you only

come from for a couple of hours, then it’s not OK,” said Ignacio Vera, of

Costa Mesa.

Lino Ferreira of Huntington Beach agreed and added that the rate hike

may stop him from going to Pier Plaza as often.

“For $9, we could have gone to breakfast,” Ferreira said.

The two preferred parking lots at Pier Plaza are the only ones in the

city to have their rates increased. Other city lots still cost $7 to park

for the day from June to August. During off-peak months, parking in city

lots cost $1.50 an hour, up to $7 a day. Parking meters also cost a $1.50

an hour and the city’s parking garages cost $2 an hour, up to $8 a day.

In the off-peak months, Pier Plaza parking is $1.50 an hour, up to $9 a

day.

Hagan said the increase, which was approved by the City Council last

year, was needed to cover improvements in the South Beach area from Beach

Boulevard to 1st Street.

These include updating parking lots, replacing restrooms and showers

and creating two art displays. In addition, the project also will include

the creation of the much-debated Surf Circle art piece, which will stand

on the corner of Beach Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway.

The city also plans to update the beach’s security lighting, install a

new lifeguard public announcement system, build new sand walls and widen

the bike and pedestrian pathway.

“There is no way for us to pay for all of this,” Hagan said.

Another option beachgoers have is to purchase an annual pass, which

costs $100 a year during peak season and $50 during off-peak months. Next

year, the summertime rate will be reduced to $75.

“Ninety-five percent of annual passes are purchased by locals and most

of the people who pay the daily rate,” he said. “Huntington Beach draws

from a 90-mile radius, and they put all of this impact on Huntington

Beach. Huntington Beach residents have to pay for it.”

Frequent beachgoer Cheryl McCowan of Huntington Beach said she was

surprised by the price increase.

“If we knew ahead of time [that it was $9], we wouldn’t have parked

here,” she said.